Temescal, Macarthur, Lake Merritt. Piedmont and Rockridge are pretty good too, but on the calmer side. Downtown Oakland is like downtown SF - I wouldn't go the

Temescal, Macarthur, Lake Merritt. Piedmont and Rockridge are pretty good too, but on the calmer side. Downtown Oakland is like downtown SF - I wouldn't go there for nightlife either. I'd go there for shopping. EDIT: The blocks around 9th and Washington is pretty lively. It's like a giant party from 6pm onwards.